Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
Can you spell F-U-N? The 4th Annual Orcas Island Adult Spelling Bee returns
Calling all word nerds, spelling enthusiasts, and brave souls willing to face the dictionary! The 4th Annual Orcas Island Adult Spelling Bee returns on Friday, October 23, at 7 p.m. at the Orcas Center, promising an evening of friendly competition, community spirit, plenty of laughs, and perhaps a few spectacular spelling mishaps! Hosted by the Orcas Island Public Library, this beloved annual event brings islanders together for a lively celebratio
C Street Brass returns to the islands for two free community concerts
C Street Brass will return to the San Juan Islands October 26 and 27 as part of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival’s Musicians-in-Residence program. Known for their energetic performances and wide-ranging musical style, the ensemble moves comfortably between traditional chamber music, jazz, and popular music, creating concerts that are engaging and accessible to audiences of all ages. During their island visit, C Stree
Keith Busha January 18, 1951 – September 18, 2026
Keith David Granley, also known as Keith Busha, was born on January 18, 1951 in Queens New York, the second child and only son of David Granley, a half-Swedish mining engineer from Minnesota, and Irma Moisio Granley, a native New Yorker of Piedmontese Italian heritage. He died from complications of lung cancer on September 18, […]
Radio show ‘On the Rock’ at the Grange
Submitted by Melinda Milligan.
Orcas Center art show opening | “The Art of Expression”
The Visual Arts Committee of Orcas Center announces the opening of a new show on October 23 (5:30 to 7:00 pm) featuring works from “Art with Carla” – a weekly event at the Orcas Island Senior Center. Wonderful art is the result when community members come together to express themselves in an environment with no rules, no right or wrong. This show, entitled “The Art of Expression” is an exhibit of curated […]
A very special night of drumming with TAIKOPROJECT at Orcas Center
TAIKOPROJECT celebrates 25 years of taiko creativity and innovation with a new concert production entitled “25.” Featuring new compositions and choreography and stunning costumes by acclaimed designer Sueko Oshimoto, “25” will take audiences on a thundering roller coaster of the senses on Saturday, Oct. 24, 7 p.m. at Orcas Center. Taiko is a dynamic Japanese percussion art that uses large hollow wooden drums to create thunderous, earth-shaking
One-act play | Grabbing the Hammer Lane: A Trucker Narrative
“Grabbing the Hammer Lane: A Trucker Narrative” is a searing, 60-minute, one-act play about prodigal rebellion and fleeting moments of redemption, written by and starring David M. Proctor. He will perform on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m., Orcas Center. Matt, a long-haul trucker, hits the road to find himself and the freedom he craves — only to become imprisoned over time in a steel cell on 18 wheels. Clarence remains at home, […]
Orcas filmmaker Ken Kwapis on the strange, improbable story of The Shaggs
The prophecy said famous. It never said why For four decades, director Ken Kwapis has moved between some of Hollywood’s best-known films and television series, directing He’s Just Not That Into You, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and A Walk in the Woods, and seminal episodes of The Office, Freaks and Geeks, Parks and Recreation, and more. But it was an obscure record by three sisters from rural New […]
I’m Not the Church Lady | Step away from the pedestal, Rosie
Or, maybe I need to notice where life keeps putting me Over the past couple of months, I’ve become a member of two Boards of Directors here on Orcas. This has never been on my bucket list. In fact, being in a leadership position where I’m expected to make decisions is almost comical. My life’s work has been about empowering others to make their own decisions—not being the person making […]
Actors Theater’s new, old-time radio show coming to the Grange
Radio station KIXP and Actors Theater of Orcas Island announce the debut of “On the Rock”, a new old-time radio show! In the style of “Prairie Home Companion” and similar shows, it features local musicians, Orcas-based sketches and other delights. Hosted by Clint McCune with house band Minnow Creek, the first show features Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms and poet Tish Knapp, among others. If you’d like to be part of […]
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Library event | A better world is possible
What does it take to imagine a better future—and what can the next generation teach us about making it happen? Join award-winning journalist Meera Subramanian and beloved poet and author Maleea Acker for an inspiring conversation about our changing planet, the power of young voices, and the places we call home. Meera’s new graphic nonfiction book, A Better World Is Possible: Global Youth Confront the Climate Crisis, illustrated by Danica Novgorodo
Light the Night coming up at Community Church on October 31
Join us at Orcas Island Community Church on October 31st for Light the Night, a fun-filled community celebration for all ages! Bring your family, invite your friends and neighbors, and come enjoy an evening of fun, fellowship, treats, activities, and community. You do not need to attend OICC to participate—this event is for our entire Orcas Island community! Come as you are, bring a friend, and help us LIGHT THE […]
Sign-ups open for 2026 Battle of the Bands at Orcas Center
Sign-ups are now open for the 2026 Battle of the Bands, Orcas Island’s local music event of the year, returning to Orcas Center on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 6 p.m. Hosted by Pedro LopezDeVictoria and Jamey Moriarty, the night pits original music by Orcas Island artists head-to-head across a range of categories, with audiences dancing along and cheering on their favorites. Organizers promise a night of laughs, a few tears, and […]
Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens to visit Orcas Garden Club
Please join the Orcas Island Garden Club on Wednesday, October 21,2026 as we welcome Barb Faville, from Meerkerk Gardens to learn all things rhododendron. Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens is a 53-acre peaceful woodland oasis located on Whidbey Island. During this talk you will Learn about Meerkerk’s history and the distinguishing characteristics of rhododendrons which will increase your appreciation of the vast variety of these plants. You’ll
Orcas Library, students explore banned books
The Orcas Island Library was fortunate to receive a grant from Brooklyn’s Books Unbanned group this spring, and we’ve been thrilled to put it to work with our local teens. With the grant, we’ve now run two teen cohorts exploring censorship, challenged books, and the role young people can play in the conversation. Our first cohort of three teens planned three of our monthly Teen Book Boxes, each featuring a challenged […]
Announcing 6th Annual Island Market / Funhouse Commons gingerbread house contest
Get ready for the 6th Annual Gingerbread House Contest sponsored by the Funhouse Commons & Island Market , a holiday Gingerbread House Contest for ALL AGES with cash prizes! Registration to participate in the gingerbread house competition opens on Monday, October 12th through the Funhouse Commons website. There are no entry fees to participate but you must register by Monday, November 30th in order to participate! Only one (1) entry per person, […]
Washington authors speak out against censorship in honor of Banned Books Week
OLYMPIA — In honor of Banned Books Week (Oct. 4-10, 2026), Washington authors speak out against censorship and share what reading freely means to them. The Washington Center for the Book, a program of the Office of the Secretary of State, partnered with the Washington chapter of Authors Against Book Bans to curate a collection of short videos about what […]
The 6th Annual Island Market and Funhouse Commons Gingerbread House Contest
Submitted by the Funhouse Commons.
David B. Williams comes to Orcas Island for ‘In the Range of Fire and Ice’
Submitted by the Orcas Island Public Library.
Japanese music masters Také to Ito perform at Odd Fellows
Submitted by the Odd Fellows Hall.
A night of fingerstyle guitar with Calum Graham
Submitted by Orcas Center.